WIT


Meaning of WIT in English

~ 1

■ noun

1》 (also ~s ) the capacity for inventive thought and quick understanding; keen intelligence.

2》 a natural aptitude for using words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humour.

3》 a ~ty person.

Phrases

be at one's ~s' end be completely at a loss as to what to do.

be frightened (or scared ) out of one's ~s be extremely frightened.

gather (or collect ) one's ~s allow oneself to think calmly and clearly in a demanding situation.

have (or keep ) one's ~s about one be constantly alert.

live by one's ~s earn money by clever and sometimes dishonest means, having no regular employment.

Derivatives

-~ted adjective

Origin

OE ~(t) , ge~(t) , denoting the mind as the seat of consciousness, of Gmc origin; related to ~ 2 .

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~ 2

■ verb ( wot , ~ting ; past and past participle wist )

1》 archaic know.

2》 ( to ~ ) that is to say.

Origin

OE ~an , of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.